National Water Quality Month Awareness

Water is one of the most vital resources on our planet, yet it is often taken for granted. The United Nations has declared August to be National Water Quality Month to raise awareness of the importance of water and to appreciate and protect our water resources. Water is essential for human survival, as it makes up about 60% of a human's weight and is used for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and other household chores.

One of the main issues with water is population growth. With more people comes more demand for water, making it challenging to sustain the needs of over 7 billion people. Another problem is water pollution, which depletes an already scarce water supply and makes it unsafe for use.

Water sources include fresh groundwater, fresh surface water, and ocean water. Fresh groundwater encompasses all the aquifers and other sources of water buried underground, while fresh surface water includes all the water found in lakes, rivers, and other terrestrial sources. Ocean water, which covers 67% of the planet, is the Earth's largest carbon sink and plays a crucial role in weather and climate.

To protect water, individuals can learn about their local water sources, reduce household water usage, and participate in water conservation initiatives. This includes checking for leaks, taking shorter showers, and using less water for cleaning. Communities and governments can also invest in water conservation projects and campaigns to encourage sustainable water usage.